On a recent spring evening, the ice cleared at Plattsburgh’s American North Sports Center. There were a handful of skaters, but they were all making room for one among them who glided seemingly effortlessly across the ice.

MEET LUKE WEST. HE IS GEARING UP FOR HIS FIRST INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION. HE GOT HIS START ON THE ICE NINE YEARS AGO. HE IS COMPETING IN HIS FIRST JUNIOR RAN PRE-PENNSYLVANIA. IT FEATURES SOME OF THE BEST SKATERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD. HE IS THE REIGNING NOVICE AND HE TRAINS IN COLORADO SPRINGS ALONG A TEAM OF COACHES AND SKATERS. WE SPOKE WITH HIS VERY PROUD FATHER THIS AFTERNOON. HE WAS FEELING LIKE HE DID NOT BELONG. HE UNDERSTAND HE BELONGS THERE. WEST IS IN NINTH PLACE OUT OF 23. BOTH WERE ABLE TO -- UNABLE TO